Many students apply for student loans to help them in paying their school fees and meet other costs of attendance. Private student loans are mainly provided by Banks. They are far more flexible than federal student loans. With the increase in higher education costs, more students are applying for private student loans. Private student loans come in handy if you have borrowed the maximum you can from federal loans. Before choosing a lender for your private student loan, here are the factors to consider.

Interest Rate

Private student loans offer an array of interest rates. Most of the lenders allow you to choose between fixed and variable interest rates. The rates largely depend on your credit score and income if any. The stronger the credit score, the lower the interest rate. With fixed interest rates, the rate of the loan remains constant throughout. This is great because you can already predict your future repayment interest and have a plan. On the other hand, if interest rates drop significantly, you will not benefit from this. Flexible interest rates are good so long as they remain low. A sudden increase in the rates means that you will pay higher interest amounts. Comparing private student loan interest rates is tricky, therefore take your time and investigate some banks before you make your decision.

Tenor of Repayment

There are different repayment tenors you can choose for your private student loan. A shorter repayment tenor means that you will pay higher monthly installments. On the other, hand a longer repayment tenor means that you pay little monthly installments. You need to get a perfect balance between the short and long tenor. This is because, although the longer tenor might seem attractive because you pay small installments, you will end up paying more money cumulatively than in the shorter one. On the other hand, paying large sums of money in a short tenor might be stressful to you. The ideal medium is around ten years. If your income after graduation is good, you can choose a lesser repayment period. There is the option of clearing your loan by paying more every month. This is ideal if you get a better job or if you get additional income. It is good because it helps you clear the loan faster and it reflects positively on your credit score. However, some lenders do not offer this option. Ask about this before you make your loan application.

Amount

Most lenders have a limit on the number of private student loans they give. Have a look at the minimum and the maximum limits of a lender before you apply for the loan. This saves your time in case the amount you want doesn’t fit in the range offered by the lender. As you look at the limits, do not be tempted to apply more than you need just because the limit allows. Stick to the golden rule of applying for only what you need. Remember that this is a loan you will have to repay with interest in the future.…

Sciences are the hard subjects. Most students and teachers think like that and therefore believe that people who dare to take on mathematics and other STEM subjects especially in higher education level are incredible. At the same time, the stereotype makes it hard for women to think of stepping foot in a perceived male class. The reality is very different. There is no job or education course for one gender only. Anyone with sufficient abilities can do anything. The women today have access to computers, knowledge, and many other resources that men rely on to accomplish various assignments. Therefore, the notion of women not being ready or ideal is misplaced. Here are tips to use on how to encourage women into science, engineering, and construction.

Indulge in Science, Engineering, and Construction Fields

The best way to encourage someone to try something is by placing them in the right location and gives them the tools. Do not expect women to realize that they can excel in these fields without taking them for a tour. Thus, the first thing should be to introduce them to the people in these fields and give them a “day-in-the-life” tour. Enourage them to stay away from substance abuse as most of the employers have come up with drug abuse policies as part of the application process, job applicants may be required to undergo the tests for drug abuse. They can see what an engineer does and what a constructions technician does during the day. After that, they may see it is possible for them to try their hand.

Offering Women First Accommodation

Offering female student with safe and modern accommodation is one way of encouraging them to join STEM as the studies in these courses requires the right type of living environment to succeed. If you’re not sure of the benefits of sleep in work and educations, experts recommend that you’ve at least 7 hours of sleep as an adult. Many universities and colleges need to encourage students to stay on-site instead of renting houses far from campus. Even in shared living accommodation, women students don’t find the right sleep-study environment.

Subsidize their Training

Training costs might also act as hindrances for women. They already see no point in trying. In fact, they are unlikely to reconsider the option after they discover the costs are also high. Therefore, agencies dealing with women and helping them to choose careers should work with education systems and institutions to lower the tuition burden of learning and getting the right certifications.

Use Simulations

Simulations are a modern day invention. They allow people in remote places to participate in an activity as though they were physically present. Simulations can help women face their fears without the risk of messing equipment or jobs. They can learn to drive machinery in construction, calibrate equipment and so on. Simulations even help sportspersons to achieve their best form. Thus, they will be useful for assisting women to appreciate science, engineering, and construction fields.

Provide Situations for Using Spatial Skills

Most of the engineering, science and construction subjects and jobs require the use of spatial skills. Having women work alongside men in areas that need spatial skills empowers them to think like scientists and engineers. The empowerment makes it easy for them to transition into these fields.

Use Compelling Stories

Women in the target fields are the best persons to give positive stories about their careers. They will encourage more girls and young women to identify with these stories and opt to try their luck. In most cases, the women who already have an example to follow will find it easier to take on even the hard challenges without quitting. They know that someone else tried it and succeeded. The possibilities of success are enough to encourage most people to start, and their starting action will inspire many others to do so.…